LIVING STONES
Following the Great Fire of London in 1666, famed British architect Christopher Wren was rebuilding St. Paul’s cathedral. One day, he walked incognito among his workers to observe their labor. “What are you doing?” he asked a craftsman.
“I’m cutting a piece of stone,” the artisan replied.
Moving toward another worker, he repeated his question. “Earning five shillings, two pence a day.”
A third man replied, “I’m helping Sir Christopher Wren build a beautiful cathedral.”
Three men performing identical tasks, with three completely different perspectives. Yet only one saw his work as contributing great value to an even greater purpose.
In a sense, God is building a “cathedral.”—not a physical building—but a kingdom comprised of his people (Ephesians 2:19-22). A plan He designed before time began… and he invites us to assist him in his “construction project.”
But like Wren’s workers, in the grind of daily life, it’s easy to lose our vision of the big picture. St. Paul’s cathedral required hundreds of workers, tirelessly laboring for thirty-five years. Yet that’s mere child’s play, compared to the original Old St. Paul’s cathedral, which took more than 200 years to complete! Imagine you’re a worker at the one-hundred-year mark, sweating day-in and day-out, knowing you’ll never live to see the fruits of your labor. Not even a Tony Robbins speech could perk up your enthusiasm!
As we join Jesus, we discover we’re not only workers, we’re actual stones—living stones in God’s “cathedral.” I Peter 2:5 states, “And you are living stones that God is building into his spiritual temple.” Do you have any idea how valuable you are to God? Imagine a worker on St. Paul’s cathedral leaving out a stone. The foreman just might have a few choice words to share! We all have a critical part in God’s plan. Without you, something’s missing.
At times we feel unimportant. At times we feel as if we don’t matter. But every little part we play is significant. Every encouraging word we give to others. Every minute we spend with our children. Every rude driver we smile at and wave. Each time we bring a tiny bit of light into our dark world, we’re helping expand God’s kingdom, no matter how unimportant it seems. So next time someone asks what you’re doing, tell them, “I’m helping Jesus Christ build a beautiful cathedral!”
Principle: We are helping Jesus build a beautiful “cathedral,” his eternal kingdom.
Promise: We are living stones in God’s temple.
Ponder:
In what circumstances do I most struggle with understanding my value in building God’s “cathedral?”
What steps can I take to see the value God places on me?
Pursue: For a deeper dive, study 1 Peter 2:4-10.
Prayer: “Lord, what an amazing identity you’ve given me, as a living stone in your temple. Please help me to see the value you place on me.”